Overall unemployment rate moved down to 5.7% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 19,700 roles, based on the most recently available information published in November 2021.

Total employment in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD market rose by 9,640 jobs in September and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 100 bps to 5.7%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 72 bps over the same time to 4.6%.

  • Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD unemployment rate is 114 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 190 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in September versus prior month by 3.4% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Unemployment September 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.7% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 646,700; +14,400
  • Transportation & Utilities: 519,100; +3,600
  • Business Services: 461,200; -4,800
  • Government: 325,800; +19,700
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 224,800; -8,400
  • Financial Services: 216,400; -2,200
  • Manufacturing: 175,300; -300
  • Construction, Mining: 122,500; +500
  • Other Jobs: 105,600; -1,300
  • IT & Development: 52,700; -100
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Unemployment by Industry September 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through September 2021 (Data published November 2021 and reports created on November 3, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.